12-year-old Ferndale boy assaulted, robbed of bike by youths

The boy told police his assailants were on mountain bikes when they rode past him around 6 p.m. at the intersection of Washington and Ferndale avenues. One of the youths pulled in front of the boy and told him to surrender the bike, police said.

The youth then punched the victim, who dropped his bike and ran home. The youth who had punched the victim got off his bike, took the victim's bike and rode off with the others toward North County High School, police said.

The victim, who suffered a swollen left eye and a cut on the jaw, did not need to go to the hospital. Officers searched for the suspects, but could not find them.